Working Group on Integrated Water Resources Management

The Working Group on Integrated Water Resources Management and the Working Group on Monitoring and Assessment are the two main subsidiary bodies established by the Meeting of the Parties.

The focus of the work of the Working Group on Integrated Water Resources Management is on intersectoral activities to support the implementation of the Convention with regard to the integrated management of transboundary water resources. Activities under this Working Group aim to prevent, control and reduce transboundary impacts and thereby prevent damage to the environment; promote the ecosystem approach in the framework of integrated water resources management; and ensure conservation and, where necessary, restoration of water-related ecosystems. Further goals are to promote the concept of payments for ecosystem services; to prevent accidental water pollution; and to further adaptation to climate change in the transboundary context, including floods and droughts management. The Working Group also seeks to build and/or to strengthen the institutions responsible for the management of transboundary waters; to facilitate the work of joint bodies; and to promote access to information and public participation in decision-making.

The need to consider monitoring and assessment in the broader context of integrated water resources management calls for close collaboration between the two Working Groups through cooperation on a number of joint activities.

Unless otherwise decided by the Meeting of the Parties, the Bureau or the Working Groups themselves, the Working Groups hold one ordinary meeting per year. Annual meetings of the Working Groups constitute an efficient mechanism for governing, coordination and fostering implementation of the Convention. These meetings provide a forum for sharing knowledge and successful experiences among Parties, non-Parties and stakeholders, with a view to supporting and carrying out, inter alia, bilateral and multilateral activities, pilot projects and capacity-building activities.